Chiba Prefecture Meibutsu: What to See and Eat in Chiba

Located just east of Tokyo, Chiba Prefecture offers a variety of unique and exciting experiences for those willing to make the trip away from Tokyo!

A major transportation hub, Chiba is home to Japan’s second-busiest airport, Narita International Airport. However, many tourists bypass Chiba after arriving in Japan, instead making their way directly to Tokyo, and that’s a shame! Chiba has so much to offer including abundant natural beauty, important historical sites, and even theme parks.

Let’s take a look at some of the things Chiba Prefecture is best known for and some of the reasons to stick around the next time you’re in Japan.

What to See in Chiba

For those who love history, Narita City is the perfect destination, especially given that you’ll likely already be there when you touch down in Japan! Narita is home to Naritasan Shinsho-ji, one of the most important Buddhist temples in the region. Established in 940 AD, the temple grounds include tranquil green spaces and stunning architecture. Additionally, Narita is home to several historic districts, like the town of Sawara, Boso-no-mura (the Boso Village open-air museum), and many beautifully preserved samurai residences. Exploring these areas is like stepping back 300 years to the height of the Edo period.

Tateyama City is another popular destination in Chiba. Rather than historic areas, you’ll find seaside hot springs, fresh seafood, and stunning beaches. Tateyama is also home to Mt. Nokogiri, Chiba’s most famous natural landmark. You can take a nice long hike up from the mountain’s base, or if you prefer an easier trip to the top, you can take a ropeway cable car. Once there, you’ll arrive at Nihon-ji, a unique temple with a unique history. Among the sights are panoramic views of the city below and a striking relief of a bodhisattva (a Buddhist savior deity) carved directly into the mountain wall.

Most of Chiba Prefecture is made up of the Boso Peninsula. This area offers many natural sights and experiences, including the famous Oyama Senmaida, an area of beautiful, terraced rice paddies. It is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the charm of Japan’s quaint countryside towns through hiking and cycling tours!

Chiba Prefecture is also home to many amusement parks! The most popular are Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, the latter being unique to Japan. Other attractions include Mother Farm, where you can interact with farm animals and pick produce and seasonal flowers, as well as Tokyo German Village.

What to Eat in Chiba

With its proximity to the ocean, Chiba is known for its seafood. One famous local dish is namero, a traditional fisherman’s dish from southern Chiba. It is made from a mix of several fish, often including Pacific saury and jack mackerel, minced together with ginger, miso, and leeks. You can find it served as is or over a warm bed of fresh rice.

Another local seafood specialty is kujukuri, a dish made from dried sardines seasoned with mirin (sweet Japanese cooking wine) and sprinkled with black sesame seeds. It is a truly unique taste of what the oceans surrounding the prefecture have to offer!

Chiba is also known for peanuts! Most of Japan’s peanuts are grown in the prefecture, and as such, you can find them in a variety of preparations from boiled to steamed, baked, and even pickled.

If you’re into spicy food, Chiba has you covered with its renowned Katsuura tantanmen, a hearty bowl of spicy ramen topped with minced meat, chopped onions, and copious amounts of chili oil.

Hopefully, this short list gave you some inspiration and a few reasons to stick around Chiba and explore what it has to offer on your next trip to Japan!

About the author: 

Kevin Kilcoyne

The spark that lit Kevin Kilcoyne’s interest in Japanese culture began in elementary school through a friendship with his then classmate Keisuke. Since then, that passion has evolved and bloomed to encompass more than just video games and manga, leading Kevin to live in Japan as a participant of the JET program. During his time in Japan, Kevin sought out as many foods as he could, the experiences and taste memories lingering long after they had gone. Now he is forging a path to link his passions for Japanese food, history, and visual culture and is planning for his return to live in Japan once again. For now, you can find Kevin on Instagram (@waruishouten) where he posts his photography and illustration work. Keep an eye out for more posts and updates as Kevin delves more deeply into his passions for writing and food.